Kobe hits game-winner again

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-12-18 11:18

MILWAUKEE: Kobe Bryant reverted to an old habit when he missed a potential game-winning shot. Given a second opportunity, he stuck with the change he's made since breaking his right index finger.

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant makes the game-winning basket over Milwaukee Bucks' Charlie Bell (42) during overtime of the NBA game on Wednesday in Milwaukee. The Lakers won 107-106.[Agencies]

Bryant hit a 15-footer as time expired and scored the game's final seven points over the last 1:18 of overtime to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 107-106 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.

Bryant, who had 27 of his 39 points in the second half and overtime, missed a shot from nearly the same spot from the left elbow that would have won it at the buzzer to end regulation.

"I changed my grip since the finger injury, so that first shot I took had my original grip and the ball kind of came off the wrong way," said Bryant, who broke the finger against Minnesota on Friday. "I was upset because if I was going to miss it I'd rather miss it with things I've practised in the past few days. I was happy to get another look."

On his second try, he backed down Charlie Bell again and drained the jumper to start the celebration by raising his arms triumphantly and returning to the Lakers bench where he was mobbed.

"I had a really good look on that first one and wanted to go right back to the same spot and get the same look," Bryant said.

Pau Gasol had 26 points and a career-high 22 rebounds for the Lakers (20-4), who tied Boston for the best record in the NBA with their 13th win in the past 14 games.

Bryant, who scored 42 points in a win over Chicago on Tuesday night, was again sharp when it counted despite the finger that's been hampering his ball handling and follow through. He went 13 of 28 from the field and hit all 12 of his free-throw attempts but committed seven turnovers after committing eight against the Bulls.

He said he took a whack on the hand and it remains sore but this one was much more painful for the Bucks.

Reserve Michael Redd had 25 points and Ersan Ilyasova added a career-high 24 but the Bucks lost their fourth straight in the series with the Lakers and are 3-14 in the past 17 meetings. "I hate losing to him," said Redd, back for his second game after missing seven with left knee soreness.